Allow user to separate dates with period in MS Access - ms-access

Question

I am working with an Access database where I have a form that contains several date entry fields. I have a new user that is used to using a period as a delimiter for dates so instead of "6/22/11" or "6-22-11", they enter "6.22.11". I would like to continue to allow this type of entry, but Access converts "6.22.11" to a time instead of a date. I have tried setting the format on the text box to "Short Date" with no help. I have also tried adding code to the "Lost Focus" event but that is to late since Access has already done the conversion. The "Before Update" event fires before the conversion but will not allow me to change the text in the textbox. Any ideas on how I can allow all three forms of date entry?

Answer 1

your above example
Private Sub Texto0_KeyPress(KeyAscii As Integer)
If Chr(KeyAscii) = "." Then
KeyAscii = Asc("/")
End If
End Sub
works for me.
Another aproximation is play with the BeforeUpdate and AfterUpdate events.
In BeforeUpdate you cannot modify de content of the control, but you can set a flag (a variable defined at module/form level) in the AfterUpdate event and change the content: it will trigger again the BeforeUpdate, but in this case, because is flagged you sould ignore it and unflag.

Answer 2

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/access-help/control-data-entry-formats-with-input-masks-HA010096452.aspx
Input Mask.

Answer 3

I wrote the following function for a user who was used to entering 6 and 8 digit dates in input masks by just typing a string of numbers with no delimiter. You should be able to modify it for your purposes:
'---------------------------------------------------------------------------
' Purpose : Enables entry of 8-digit dates with no delimiters: 12312008
' Usage : Set OnChange: =DateCtlChange([Form].[ActiveControl])
' 8/ 6/09 : Allow entry of 6-digit dates with no delimiters
' (year 2019 and 2020 must still be entered as 8-digit dates)
'---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Function DateCtlChange(DateCtl As TextBox)
Dim s As String, NewS As String
On Error GoTo Err_DateCtlChange
s = DateCtl.Text
Select Case Len(s)
Case 6
If s Like "######" Then
If Right(s, 2) <> "19" And Right(s, 2) <> "20" Then
NewS = Left(s, 2) & "/" & Mid(s, 3, 2) & "/" & Mid(s, 5, 2)
End If
End If
Case 8
If s Like "########" Then
NewS = Left(s, 2) & "/" & Mid(s, 3, 2) & "/" & Mid(s, 5, 4)
End If
End Select
If IsDate(NewS) Then
DateCtl.Text = NewS
DateCtl.SelStart = Len(DateCtl.Text)
End If
Exit_DateCtlChange:
Exit Function
Err_DateCtlChange:
Select Case Err.Number
'Error 2101 is raised when we try to set the text to a date
' that fails the date control's validation
Case 2101 'The setting you entered isn't valid for this property.
'Log error but don't show user
Case Else
'Add your custom error logging here
End Select
Resume Exit_DateCtlChange
End Function

Answer 4

Access uses the system date and time format to determine how to translate a value. Another option - that would affect every program on this user's computer - is this: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/access-help/change-the-default-date-time-number-or-measurement-format-HA010351415.aspx?CTT=1#BM2

Answer 5

Alternatively you can use spaces instead of slashes in dates in Access. Thus the user can use the left hand on the space bar and use the right hand on the numeric keyboard. I feel this is much easier to use than either the slash or the hyphen.